New guidelines for new tobacco selling season

FOOD vendors will not be allowed to operate around tobacco auction floors, while children under the age of 16 will be prohibited in and around the premises under new guidelines for this year’s marketing season, which begins on Wednesday.

There are indications that the golden leaf will fetch good prices.

The new Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) guidelines, which were crafted in observance of the current strict cholera and Covid-19 protocols, are also meant to decongest the sales floors.

Licensed contractors and auction floors are being urged to maintain high hygiene standards. Outlining the state of preparedness for the 2024 marketing season during an interface with the media last week, TIMB head of operations Mr Blessing Dhokotera said the season will witness increased police presence and inspection officers.

To curb side marketing, the regulator has come up with a transporter compliance framework which includes a system that monitors the movement of tobacco from the primary source up to the market.

In addition, biometric technology has been infused for the first time, with every farmer expected to have their fingerprints registered and incorporated into an online database.

“This new feature will automatically record the frequency of sales by the farmer, the accumulated weight and it will also automatically stop and signal to the authorities if any anomaly is detected on any grower number for immediate action,” said Mr Dhokotera.

TIMB has also introduced the mandatory goods in transit insurance for transporters.

“The cover is on an all-risks basis, including fire and allied perils, theft, hijacking, collision and overturning, and explosion of the goods whilst in transit by road.

“This is beneficial for both parties as it protects the transporter and the farmer in the event of unforeseen incidents to avoid excess losses,”added Mr Dhokotera.